Kenneth Burrows

Kenneth Carl Burrows passed away Thursday, April 18, 2013, at his home in Orleans, Calif., after a long illness at the age of 82, surrounded by his loving wife and family.

Born March 3, 1931, in Fort Bragg, he attended local schools and later worked in freight delivery and construction until moving in 1973, when he went to work on the Indian Valley Dam project in Lake County. Ken worked for Caltrans as an equipment operator from 1975-1995, spending the majority of his career in Orleans before his retirement. His love for family, friends, travel, ocean fishing, abalone diving, camping, and summer vacations with his wife and children at Shasta Lake gives you an idea of his love for the outdoors and family. Soon after retirement, he and Leslie discovered Baja, Mexico, and made their yearly trek with their camper and boat, spending each winter enjoying the warm waters and beaches.

His amazing talent in rock masonry is evident in his beautiful rock constructed patio and garage at their home in Orleans that took several years to build, hand selecting and hauling each and every rock himself. It is a design that continues to amaze everyone who visits. Ken was well known and loved by everyone he came in contact with including lifelong friends in Fort Bragg and the many friends he came to know and love in Orleans.

Ken leaves behind his loving wife, Leslie Goslin-Burrows, whom he married in August 1985; stepson, Craig Mullen (Jenifer), Citrus Heights, Calif.; and three children from his first marriage to Anita Flores-Burrows, who preceded him in death in 1983: Mark Burrows (Mele) Kamuela, Hawaii, Cecelia Burrows-Regnani (Gary) Salmon, Idaho and Martin (Marty) Burrows (Barbara), Fort Bragg. His youngest daughter Suzanne Burrows-Worden preceded him in death in 1980. Grandchildren include: Anjie Ferguson, Eric Burrows, Dustin and Tobias Burrows. Shannon Gray, Michael Scott Gray, Melanie Forney, Brent Burrows, Troy Worden and Taylor Mullen. He is also survived by 14 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Besides family members, Ken has four lifelong friends he grew up with in Fort Bragg who shared his life as rambling, self-reliant boys, and later as adults, whom he formed a special bond with that continued throughout his life; Bud Sallinen, Tom Evans, Jack Muncey and Chuck Linville, all from Fort Bragg.

Leslie would like to thank the warm and caring people in the McKinleyville and Eureka dialysis centers, Pam Hartley, Jessica Manor, doctors Alan Matthew, Norman Bensky and Michael Fratkin. And to Ken's daughter, Cecelia, and extended family with special thanks to her sister and brother-in-law Kathryn and Doctor Michael Willett for making it possible for Ken to spend his last days at home.

At Ken's request, a memorial service was held in Orleans at the Karuk Community Center on Sunday, April 21, 2013. A cremation and private scattering of his remains will be held with his immediate family at a later date. Donations to a charity of your choice in Ken's name in lieu of flowers would be appreciated.